Sign



M. G. BARDI Jan. 14, 1969 SIGN Sheet Filed March 5, 1966 fjZ jaw

ATTORNEY? Jan. 14, 1969 M G. BARDI 3,421,240

ATT

Sheet SIGN M. G. BARD! Jan. 14, 1969 Filed March 5. 1966 ZZZ :J 'nal Fagin-z! l/Iii:

United States Patent O 3,421,240 SIGN Michael G. Bardi, 23110 Webster, Oak Park, lVIich. 48237 Filed lVIar. 3, 1966, Ser. No. 531,464 U.S. Cl. 40--65 Int. Cl. G09f 11/30 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE and a plurality of second sign strips interconnected at the bottom thereof and alternately disposed among the stationary sign strips for movement between a concealed position behind the stationary sign strips and a position covering the exposed portions of the stationary sign strips.

There is a great need for signs which are capable of transmitting more than one message to the viewer. Signs of the type heretofore known which are capable of transmitting more than one message to the viewer normally include complex mechanisms and/or complex electrical lighting circuits.

One such prior art sign is a three-message sign including a plurality of vertical parallel panels, each of which includes three sides and is rotatable. That is, a cross section through each panel shows the three sides forming an equilateral triangle. One of the sides of each panel forms a plane with the first sides of the other panels to form a first sign. All of the panels are rotated in unison to expose the next side of each panel to form the second sign. All of the panels are again rotated in unison to expose the third side of each panel for forming the third sign. Since each of the three-sided panels must be rotatably monuted in a frame, the mechanisms necessary to rotate all of the panels in unison involves many gears, bearings, and other complex and expensive components, which are susceptible to malfunction and difficult to maintain. Additionally, the sign must be of a sulficient width to accommodate the cross-sectional width of the three-sided panels and, therefore, requires a larger housing and heavy duty support members.

Another prior art sign assembly which may be utilized to convey three messages to a viewer is one utilizing at least three sets of horizontally disposed strips with the strips of each set interconnected by a frame, the respective frames being disposed in a matrix. The individual strips of each set do not lie in the same plane but are disposed in respective individual parallel planes which are staggered so that each strip is disposed slightly behind the preceding strip from the bottom to the top of the sign. Each set of strips may be moved vertically between a concealed position and an exposed position. When one of the sets of strips is moved to the exposed position, a message is formed which is observable by a viewer. The respective farmes are independently moved vertically by an actuating mechanism. Due to the construction of such a sign wherein each set of strips is staggered, the angle to the sign from which each message is clearly viewed is restricted to angles including the area substantially in front of the sign. In additon, the overlapping and interconnecting frames for the respective sets of strips comprise a complex mechanism including numerous compo- 3,421,240 Patented Jan. 14, 1969 "ice nents. The arrangement of all of the components in such a sign requires a great deal of space; hence, such a sign occupies a large space.

Accordingly, it is an object and feature of this invention to provide a sign which utilizes a minimum of components, which occupies a minimum of space, and conveys three indepedent messages which may be viewed from a very acute angle with the sign.

Another object and feature of this invention is to provide three message signs including an actuating mechanism comprising a minimum of components to sequentially change the message of the sign.

In general, these and other objects and features of this invention may be attained in a sign comprising a frame with a plurality of stationary sign strips vertically disposed in overlapping relationship with one another so that each stationary sign strip has an exposed portion along its length. Each stationary sign strip is attached at one edge to the frame so that each stationary sign strip is inclined at an acute angle with a plane containing the points of attachment of the respective stationary sign strips to the frame. There is also included a plurality of first sign strips disposed in vertical overlapping relationship with one another and alternately disposed among the stationary sign strips so that each of the first sign strips is disposed between two adjacent overlapping stationary sign strips. Each first sign strip has an upper end which extends above the top ends of the stationary sign strips and a first means interconnects the upper ends of the first sign strips. The first means is horizontally movable to move each of the first sign strips between a concealed position behind one adjacent stationary sign strip and a partially exposed position to cover the exposed portion of the other adjacent stationary sign strip. In addition, a plurality of second sign strips are disposed in vertical overlapping relationship with one another and alternately disposed among the stationary sign strips so that each-of the second sign strips is disposed between a stationary sign strip and a first sign strip. The lower end of each of the second sign strips extends below the lower ends of the stationary sign strips and a second means interconnects the lower ends of the second sign strips. The second means is horizontally movable to move each of the second sign strips between a totally concealed position behind one adjacent stationary sign strip and a partially exposed position to cover the exposed portion of the other adjacent stationary sign strip. An actuation means is mounted on the frame and selectively and successively moves the first and second sign strips between the concealed and exposed positions whereby during each cycle the stationary sign strips are exposed for a period to convey a first message, the second sign strips are exposed for a period to convey a second message, and the first sign strips are exposed for a period to convey a third message.

Other objects and attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the instant invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 33 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to FIGURE 3 but showing the components in a different position relative to one another;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 55 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional 3 view taken substantially along line 6-6 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 77 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 88 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 9-9 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged fragmentar cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 10-16 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 11 is a still further enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line 1010 of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 1212 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 13 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially along the lower portion of line 13-13 of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 14 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially along the upper portion of line 13-13 of FIGURE 1.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a preferred embodiment of the instant invention is shown generally at 10.

The sign 10 is enclosed in a housing 14 and includes a frame 12. The frame 12 includes the mount plate 16, the support plate 18, and the backing members 20.

A plurality of stationary sign strips 22 is disposed in overlapping relationship with one another so that each stationary sign strip 22 has a normally exposed portion 23 along the length thereof, which is best illustrated in FIGURE 10. Each stationary sign strip 22 is attached along a portion of one edge to the support plate 18. The stationary sign strips 22 are glued at the edge 24 to the support plate 18; however, other appropriate means may be utilized to secure each stationary sign strip 22 to the support plate 18. The support plate 18 is spaced from and connected to the backing 29 of the frame by the bolts 26 which extend through the support plate 18 and blocks 28 to threadedly engage backing 20. The backing does not extend from one side of the sign to the other but leaves an opening in the central portion of the sign, as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4. The support plate 18 is, therefore, disposed transversely across the mid portions of the stationary sign strips 22 so that the stationary sign strips 22 are supported by the support plate 18. The mount plate 16 is connected to the frame 12 and i disposed in spaced parallel relationship with the support plate 18.

As best illustrated in FIGURE 10, each stationary sign strip 22 is inclined at an acute angle with a plane containing the points of attachment of the stationary sign strips 22 to the support plate 18. In other words, each stationary sign strip 22 is disposed at an acute angle with the surface of the support plate 18. The stationary sign strips 22 are, therefore, parallel to one another. Also, the upper ends 30 of the stationary sign strips 22 are coextensive as are the lower ends 32; thus, the stationary sign strips 22 are coextensive along their lengths.

A plurality of first sign strips 34 is disposed in vertical overlapping relationship with one another and are alternately disposed among the stationary sign strips 22 so that each of the first sign strips 34 is disposed between two adjacent overlapping stationary sign strips 22. The upper end 36 of each first sign strip 34 extends above and beyond the upper ends 30 of thestationary sign strips 22. Spacers 38 are disposed between adjacent first sign strips 34 at the upper ends 36 so that the first sign strips 34 are spaced and parallel. A first means comprising the bar 39 interconnects the upper ends 36 of the first sign strips 34 since each first sign strip 34 and its associated spacer 38 are attached adjacent one edge thereof to the bar 39. As illustrated in FIGURE 9, each first sign strip 34 and its associated spacer 38 are secured to the bar 39 by a rivet 40; however, any other appropriate means such as gluing may be utilized. The bar 39 is disposed in spaced relationship to the upper ends 30 of the stationary sign strips 22 and a support means comprising the rollers 42 slidably connect the bar 39 to the backing 20 so that the bar 39 is free to reciprocate horizontally relative to the stationary sign strips 22. Each first sign strip 34 is, therefore, connected at its upper end 36 to the bar 39 and hangs or depends from the bar 39 between adjacent stationary sign strips 22 so that as the bar 39 is reciprocated horizontally, the first sign strips 34 move between a concealed position behind one adjacent stationary sign strip 22, which position is illustrated in FIGURE 10, and a partially exposed position to cover the normally exposed portion 23 of the other adjacent stationary sign strip 22, the latter position being reached as the first sign strips 34 are moved in unison to the right as viewed in FIGURE 10.

A plurality of second sign strips 44 is disposed in vertical overlapping relationship with one another and are alternately disposed among the stationary sign strips 22 so that each of the second sign strips 44 is disposed between adjacent stationary sign strips 22, which is best illustrated in FIGURE 10. The lower end 46 of each second sign strip 44 extends below and beyond the lower ends 32 of the stationary sign strips 22 and a spacer 48 is disposed between adjacent second sign strips 44 at the lower ends 36 so that the second sign strips 44 are spaced and parallel relative to one another. A second means comprising the bar 49 interconnects the lower ends 46 of the second sign strips 44. That is, each second sign strip 44 and its associated spacer 48 are connected by a rivet 59 adjacent one edge thereof to the bar 49. It is to be understood, of course, that the second sign strips 44 and the associated spacers 48 may be attached to the bar 49 in any other appropriate manner, such as by gluing. The rollers 52 are attached to the backing 20 for supporting and guiding the bar 49. The bar 49 is, therefore, horizontally movable to move each of the second sign strips 44 between a concealed position behind one adjacent stationary sign strip, which position is illustrated in FIG- URE l0, and a partially exposed position to cover the normally exposed portion 23 of the other adjacent stationary sign strip 22. The bar 49 is disposed in spaced relationship to the lower ends 32 of the stationary sign strips 22 so that the bar 49 is slidably connected to the frame and is free to reciprocate relative to the stationary sign strips 22. The second sign strips 44 are, therefore, mounted on the bar 49 and extend upwardly, the material from which the strips 44 are made being stiff enough to support the second sign strips 44 in such a manner.

There is also included an actuation means generally shown at 60 to selectively and successively move the respective bars 39 and 49 for covering the exposed portions 23 of the stationary sign strips 22 with the first sign strips 34 for a period and for covering the exposed portions 23 of the stationary sign strips 22 with the second sign strips 44 for a period and for positioning the first and second sign strips 34 and 44 behind the respective stationary sign strips 22 for a period. That is to say, during each cycle of the sign the exposed portions 23 of the stationary sign strips 22 are exposed for a period, portions of the first sign strips 34 are exposed for a period, and pottions of the second sign strips 44 are exposed for a period. A bracket 62 is attached to the bar 39 and has a pin 64 attached thereto. A first lever 66 is pivotally connected at 68 to the mount plate 16 and the opposite end of the first lever 66 is bifurcated to engage the pin 64 so that upon pivotal movement of the lever 66 the bar 39 moves horizontally. A first arm 70 extends laterally from the lever 66 and supports a first cam follower 72 at its extremity. A hooked arm 74 is pivotally connected at one end to the extension 76. The extension 76 may extend from either the lever 66 or the arm 70, or the hooked arm 74 may be pivotally connected to the first lever 66. A stop 78 is disposed adjacent the extremity of the hooked arm 74 for engaging the top of the mount plate 16, the purpose of which will become more clear hereinafter. A guide bracket 80 is attached to the arm 70 for guiding the pivotal movement of the hooked arm 74.

A second bracket 82 is attached to the second bar 49 and supports a second pin 84. A second lever 86 is pivotally connected at 88 to the mount plate 16 at one end and is bifurcated at the other end to engage the pin 84 so that upon pivotal movement of the lever 86, the bar 49 is moved horizontally. A second arm 90 extends laterally from the lever 86 and has a slot 91 in its extremities. A support bracket 92 is connected to the mount plate 16 and a link 94 is pivotally connected to the support bracket 92 at 93. A cam follower 96 is attached to the link 94 by an axle 98 which extends through the slot 91 in the second arm 90. A return arm 100 extends from the lever 90.

A motor is shown in phantom and is supported on the mount plate 16 for rotating the shaft 102. A substantially fan-shaped or pear-shaped cam 104 is secured to the shaft 102 so that it is rotatably disposed on the mount plate 16. A first cam roller 106 is rotatably attached to the cam 104 adjacent the periphery and substantially midway of the large portion of the cam. A second cam roller 108 is rotatably disposed on the cam 104 adjacent the periphery of the cam and adjacent one extremity of the large portion of the cam.

In operation, the cam 104 is rotated in the clockwise direction as viewed in FIGURES 3 and 4 so that the periphery of the cam 104 engages the cam follower 96, as illustrated in FIGURE 4, to move the arm 90 downward to pivot the lever 86 in one direction for moving the bar 49 and, hence, the second sign strips 44 to a partially exposed position to cover the exposed portions 23 of the stationary sign strips 22. The second sign strips 44 remain in the exposed position until the second cam roller 108 contacts the return arm 100 to pivot the lever 86 in the opposite direction to move the second sign strips 44 to the concealed position behind the stationary sign strips 22. Upon further clockwise rotation of the cam 104, the periphery of the cam engages the cam follower 72 to move the arm 70 upward to pivot the lever 66 in one direction for moving the bar 39 and, hence, the first sign strips 34 to the partially exposed position to cover the exposed portions 23 of the stationary sign strips 22. The first sign strips 34 remain in the exposed position until the first cam roller 106 engages the hooked arm, as illustrated in FIGURE 3, to pivot the lever 66 in the opposite direction for moving the first sign strips 34 from the exposed position to the concealed poistion behind adjacent stationary sign strips 22. The stop 78 attached to the hooked arm 74 engages the top of the mount plate 16 to disengage the hooked arm 74 from the first cam roller 106. Once the hooked arm 74 has disengaged the cam roller 106, both the first sign strips 34 and the second sign strips 44 are in the concealed position and the portions 23 of the stationary sign strips 22 remain exposed until the cam 104 rotates to the position where the periphery thereof again engages the cam follower 96. During each cycle or each rotation of the cam 104, therefore, the first sign strips 34 are exposed for a period, the second sign strips 44 are exposed for a period, and the portions 23 of the stationary sign strips 22 are exposed for a period, thus sequentially and successively exposing three different messages.

The housing 14 encloses the sign and includes a rearwardly extending portion 14 which encloses the motor and actuating means 60 and also provides a leg for supporting the sign in the vertical position. The housing-14 completely encloses the sign except for the opening 120 through which the respective sign strips may be viewed. The portion of the housing 14 defining the opening 120 is disposed to conceal the end portions 36 and 46 of the first and second sign strips 34 and 44, which end portions extend beyond the respective ends 30 and 32 of the stationary sign strips 22. Thus, the housing also conceals the bars 39 and 49.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows.

I claim:

1. A sign comprising: a frame, a plurality of stationary sign strips disposed in overlapping relationship with one another so that each stationary sign strip has a normally exposed portion along the length thereof, each of said stationary sign strips having at least a portion. of one side edge thereof attached to said frame so that each stationary sign strip is inclined at an acute angle with a plane containing the points of attachment of said stationary sign strips to said frame, said stationary sign strips being coextensive in length and substantially parallel to one another ,a plurality of first sign strips disposed in overlapping relationship with one another and alternately disposed among said stationary sign strips so that each first sign strip is disposed between two adjacent overlapping stationary sign strips, a first end of each of said first sign strips being extended beyond the first ends of said stationary sign strips, first means interconnecting said first ends of said first sign strips, said first means being movable to move each of said first sign strips between a concealed position behind one adjacent stationary sign strip and a partially exposed position to cover the normally exposed portion of the other adjacent stationary sign strip, and a plurality of second sign strips disposed in overlapping relationship with one another and alternately disposed among said stationary sign strips so that each second sign strip is disposed between two adjacent overlapping stationary sign strips, a first end of each of said second sign strips being extended beyond the second ends of said stationary sign strips, second means interconnecting said first ends of said second sign strips, said second means being movable to move each of said second sign strips between a concealed position behind one adjacent stationary sign strip and a partially exposed position to cover the normally exposed portion of the other adjacent stationary sign strip.

2. A sign as set forth in claim 1 including a housing enclosing said frame and said sign strips, said housing having an opening therein through which said sign strips may be viewed, the portion of said housing defining said opening being disposed to conceal the portions of said first and second sign strips which extend beyond said stationary sign strips.

3. A sign as set forth in claim 1 including actuation means to successively move said first and second means for covering said normally exposed portions of said stationary sign strips with said first sign strips for a period and covering said normally exposed portions of said stationary sign strips with said second sign strips for a period and exposing said normally exposed portions of said stationary sign strips for a period by positioning said first and second sign strips behind said stationary sign strips.

4. A sign as set forth in claim 3 wherein said first means includes a first bar disposed in spaced relationship to said first ends of said stationary sign strips, first support means for slidably connecting said first bar to said frame to allow said first bar to reciprocate relative to said stationary sign strips, said second means including a second bar disposed in spaced relationship to said second ends of said stationary sign strips, and second support means for slidably connecting said second bar to said frame to allow said second bar to reciprocate relative to said stationary sign strips, said actuation means being operatively connected to said first and second bars for respectively moving said first and second sign strips.

5. A sign as set forth in claim 4 including first spacer means disposed between adjacent first sign strips at said first ends thereof so that said first sign strips are spaced and parallel, and second spacer means disposed between adjacent second sign strips at said first ends thereof so that said second sign strips are spaced and parallel.

6. A sign as set forth in claim 5' wherein said first support means includes a plurality of rollers attached to said frame for supporting and guiding said first bar, and said second support means includes a plurality of rollers attached to said frame for supporting and guiding said second bar.

7. A sign as set forth in claim 6 including a housing enclosing said frame and said sign strips, said housing having an opening therein through which said strips may be viewed, the portion of said housing defining said opening being disposed to conceal said first and second bars and the portions of said first and second sign strips which extend beyond said stationary sign strips.

8. A sign as set forth in claim 7 wherein said frame includes a support plate disposed transversely across the mid portions of said stationary sign strips, said stationary sign strips being supported by said support plate, and a mount plate connected to said frame and disposed in spaced parallel relationship to said support plate for supporting said actuation means.

9. A sign as set forth in claim 8 wherein said actuation means includes a first lever pivotally connected to said mount plate at a first end thereof and operatively connected to said first bar at the second end thereof, a second lever pivotally connected to said mount plate at a first end thereof and operatively connected to said second bar at the second end thereof, and means for alternately oscillating said first and second levers for alternately moving said first and second bars relative to said frame.

10. A sign as set forth in claim 9 including a first pin attached to said first bar, said first end of said first lever being bifurcated to engage said first pin, a first arm extending laterally from said first lever with a first cam follower disposed adjacent the extremity thereof, a hooked arm pivotally connected at a first end thereof toone of said first lever and said first arm, a stop disposed adjacent the second end of said hooked arm for engaging said mount plate, a second pin attached to said second bar, said first end of said second lever being bifurcated to engage said second pin, a second arm: extending laterally from said second lever, a link operatively connected to said mount plate at a first end thereof for pivotal movement relative thereto, said second arm having a slot in the extremity thereof, a second cam follower attached to the second end of said link by an axle which extends through said slot, a return arm extending from one of said second lever and said second arm, a substantially fan-shaped cam rotatably mounted on said mount plate, a first cam roller disposed on said cam adjacent the periphery thereof and substantially midway of the large portion of said cam for engaging said hooked arm, a second cam roller disposed on said cam adjacent the periphery thereof and adjacent one extremity of the large portion of said cam for engaging said return arm, and drive means for rotating said cam whereby the periphery of said cam engages said second cam follower to move said second arm to pivot said second lever in one direction for moving said second sign strips to said partially exposed position to cover the normally exposed portions of said stationary sign strips and said second cam roller engages said return arm to pivot said second lever in the opposite direction for moving said second sign strips from said partially exposed position to said concealed position, and whereby the periphery of said cam engages said first cam follower to move said first arm to pivot said first lever in one direction for moving said first sign strips to said partially exposed position to cover the normally exposed portions of said stationary sign strips and said first cam roller engages said hooked arm to pivot said first lever in the opposite direction for moving said first sign strips from said partially exposed position to said concealed position, so that during each revolution of said cam, said stationary sign strips are exposed for a period, said first sign strips are exposed for a period, and said second sign strips are exposed for a period.

11. A three message sign comprising a plurality of vertical stationary sign strips disposed in overlapping relationship with one another so that each of said stationary sign strips has an exposed portion along the length thereof, a plurality of first sign strips interconnected at the tops thereof and alternately disposed among said stationary sign strips for movement between a position of concealment behind said respective stationary sign strips and a position for covering said exposed portions of said stationary sign strips, and a plurality of second sign strips interconnected at the bottoms thereof and alternately disposed among said stationary sign strips for movement between a concealed position behind said respective stationary sign strips and a position covering said exposed portions of said stationary sign strips.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/ 8 Hutterer 40-65 12/1961 Delfini et a1 4065 X U.S. Cl. X.R. 40-62 

